Dental Tribune UK Edition, October 4-10, 2010, No.24 Vol.4

PUBLISHED IN LONDON F our-fifths of dentists think it is appropriate to con- tinue to use the courtesy title of ‘Dr’ according to a poll carried out by the British Dental Association (BDA). The survey, which was carried out as part of a discussion hosted on the communities section of the BDA website between late July and early September, attracted high levels of interest, being viewed more than 2,800 times. The results of the poll will be used to emphasise the pro- fession’s concerns in the BDA’s formal response to the General Dental Council’s consultation on the issue. “This issue has generated unprecedented levels of inter- est from contributors to the BDA’s online communities. Participants have sent a very strong signal about their wish to continue using the title Dr. We have listened to them and will convey the strength of that feeling to the GDC in our response to its consultation on this issue,” Dr Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA’s Executive Board, said. “It is clear from the contribu- tions to this forum that, as long as it is made clear that the in- dividual in question is a dentist, patients do not seem to be con- fused by the use of the title. The practice of referring to dentists in this way is long-established overseas and is also now firmly embedded in the UK.” However, the call has sparked a row with medical doctors who object to the title, as dentists could mislead patients about the extent of their expertise. As was witnessed earlier this month, a dentist was ordered by the Ad- vertising Standards Authority (ASA) to remove the title of ‘Dr’ from their name as they failed to have a medical qualification or a PhD. Even so, dentists from around the country still insist that the use of the term ‘Dr’ would not confuse patients, implying that it would actually bring Britain in line with the rest of Europe, where the title is commonplace. “We believe that dentists should be permitted to use the courtesy title ‘Dr’ should they wish and provided that it is not done in a way which might mis- lead patients as to their quali- fications,” said Peter Ward, the chief executive of the British Dental Association (BDA). However, Dr Jonathan Field- en, chairman of the British Med- ical Association’s consultants committee, called for dentists to be banned from using the term, to protect patient safety. “Pa- tients have a right to clarity and to be secure in the knowledge that the person treating them is competent and qualified to do so,” he said. While dentists are not pro- hibited entirely from calling themselves Dr, the ASA says that to do so without also making it obvious that they are not doc- tors is a clear breach of advertis- ing laws. A spokesman for the Depart- ment of Health said: “The title of “Doctor” is not a protected title, so you don’t have to be a medi- cal practitioner to use it.” He added, however, that there was a provision in the Dentists Act 1984, which pre- vented dentists from using any title or description to suggest a qualification that they did not poses; however, he said that it was up to the General Dental Council to enforce that rule. DT NOW is a really good time to improve your Practice. 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Dental Showcase Stand M10www.braemarfinance.co.uk ‘It is clear from the contributions to this forum that, as long as it is made clear that the individual in question is a dentist, patients do not seem to be confused by the use of the title.’ October 4-10, 2010 VOL. 4 NO. 24 Britons shun invasive smile makeovers Dentists are now performing far less veneer procedures than they were two years ago according to the BACD. Less invasive techniques, such as quick-result braces, are on the rise as patients try to preserve their natural teeth. The survey found that half of all cosmetic dentists named the Inman Aligner, a remov- able brace, as the first choice in quick-result braces. Other high scorers were the Invis- align brace, which 22 per cent of dentists placed top, and the Clearstep or Six-Month Smiles, which one in seven said was the top performer. Lose weight with milk The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that milk drinkers lose more weight than peo- ple who do not drink milk. Regardless of an individual’s diet, the study showed that people who had the high- est intake of calcium from dairy products had a great- er chance at losing weight. However, milk is not just beneficial for those who wish to lose weight. Dental health experts have empha- sised for many years that milk and water are the only two safe drinks, when con- sidering good oral health. ADA ignore EPA’s mercury warning Today, environmental groups applauded EPA’s announce- ment to propose a new rule requiring dentists to reduce mercury pollution. “Den- tists are the largest polluter of mercury to wastewater,” said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project and a steering committee member of the National Mer- cury Products Campaign. Twelve states have mandated best management practices and amalgam separators at dental clinics, which can eliminate 95 per cent -99 per cent of dental mercury releas- es to wastewater. The EPA’s website states that: ‘When amalgam enters the water, microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a high- ly toxic form that builds up in fish. Methylmercury is a well- documented neurotoxicant, which can cause adverse ef- fects on the developing brain.” Unfortunately, the American Dental Association continues to ignore the latest science on mercury from EPA’s website, and they say that: “Dental amalgam has little effect on the environment... [and] this amount is not in the form [of mercury] found in fish, which is the greatest concern.” www.dental-tribune.co.uk Back to Indiaaaah! Take a trip to India with the AOG The Question Michael Lansdell thinks incor- poration Laser beams Dr Flax reports on laser evolu- tion in dental care News in Brief Business Managment Tribune ClinicalAOGNews Total Trek Orthodontists take part in 10 mile hike page 2 page 8 pages 13 pages 26-29 Call me Dr, Dentist Dr British Dental Association survey results show overwhelming clinician support for use of the courtesy title Dr